Euro Touring Series

July 17, 2009

2008/2009 ETS Finale underway

The final round of the Muchmore backed 2008/2009 Euro Touring Series is underway here in Andernach, Germany, with drivers from 18 nations making the trip to the home track of current World Champion Marc Rheinard. It was a very wet start to the morning with heavy rain greeting the early arrivers but things are starting to dry up now with more & more of the 190 listed drivers taking to the track. Heading the large entry is defending ETS Champion Jilles Groskamp with his opposition coming in the former of World & European Champion Marc Rheinard and Reedy Race winner Ronald Volker who was runner up here last year to Atsushi Hara. Other potential winners come Sunday include Swedish ace Viktor Wilck, Steven Weiss who won the recent German Nationals Qualifier here and ETS Poland winner Yannic Pruemper and Freddy Sudhoff.

In Pro-Stock Alexander Stocker heads the entry but the defending Champion faces huge opposition from the likes of Dutch ETS winner Rob Janssen and current points leader Daniel Wohlgemuth.

The race organisers have just sugar watered the track to help bring up traction with grouped practice now scheduled to kick off at 12:15. With four rounds of practice to get through today race director Scotty Ernst will be busy on the mic to ensure the swift running of the 20 groups of heats.

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June 24, 2009

Euro Touring Series – Round 5

The 2008/2009 Much More backed ETS season finale (round 5) will once again take place at the awesome Andernach track, close to Koblenz in the West of Germany from the 17th to the 19th of July. A great event to cap off this years series, the organizers are once again planning a highly competitive race for both the Modified and Pro stock racers, as well as a fun relaxed atmosphere with plenty of other activities to keep drivers occupied between heats. Once again attracting the cream of European racers, like local World Champion Marc Rheinard, Jilles Groskamp, Ronald Volker, Viktor Wilck and many more, the ETS also expect more surprise international entrants in the build up to the race. In addition to the regular classes their will also be a hobby class run for Tamiya TT01 chassis’ split over a number of classes. For more information about the event and where it takes place go to the Series page on our site here.

Racers can enter round 5 of the ETS (and find more info on the hobby class) by going to rcracecontrol.com.

May 31, 2009

Tamiya 1-2-3 as Rheinard wins Leg 3

Marc Rheinard has won the third Leg of the A-Mains at the Apeldoorn track here in the Netherlands heading home TRF team-mate Jilles Groskamp and Tamiya Junior Team driver Yannic Pruemper. With Groskamp having already secured overall victory for the Dutch round of the ETS with wins in Leg 1 & 2, Rheinard’s win and Pruemper’s third on this occassion ensured the German pairing joined him for what was an all Tamiya/Speed Passion podium. Following dramas in the opening two legs, the World & European Champion finally got the right mix of traction additive and temperature for his Sweep tyres and when Groskamp, who was running older tyres, ran wide at the end of the main straight Rheinard went by. Once in front he pulled clear of the Dutchman but said afterwards that he drove a controlled race so as not to have a repeat of previous round when he fell short on run time. Finishing second in the opening leg, Pruemper struggled in the second but the rising young talent bounced back resisting a serious challenge from Steen Graversen who had the advantage of fresh rubber on his Team Orion powered factory Kyosho.

The big surprise of the weekend, Martin Hofer felt afterwards that he lost out in the early part of the race after going to the grid too early. His new Yokomo BD5 was loose in the opening laps but once the tyres came back up to temperature it felt good but it was too late for him to challenge for a top placing ending the leg in 5th. Hofer said the performance of the new car here this weekend is very encouraging especially for the European Championships which take place in Luxembourg at the beginning of August. British National Championship leader Andy Moore completed the Top 6 for the 3rd A-Main giving him 5th in the overall result with his Hot Bodies Cyclone TC behind Corally’s Marc Fischer. Fisher was in the hunt for an overall podium finish but with a rear tyre coming off the rim he was forced to retire from the final race of the day.

Making the handout 9.5 Turn Speed Passion motor Pro Stock class his own, Rob Janssen and his perfectly dialled in Corally cleaned up at the fast flowing Apeldoorn track. Having wrapped up the overall win in Leg 2 of the A-Main the local Dutch driver was not done and again crushed his opposition to complete the hat trick of wins. Defending Champion Alexander Stocker took second for the Leg which gave him second overall, a result he had declared in qualifying he would be more than happy with against Top Qualifier Janssen. Despite failing to complete the opening lap of the third leg, Daniel Wohlgemuth completed the podium with his Tamiya.

In the supporting Pro 10 category, which attracted plenty of interest over the weeked, Tim Altmann just got quicker with each outing setting a blistering 14.28 lap on his way to another win that was just shy of being a 21 lap run.

A sun drenched weekend of racing, the Euro Touring Series’ first visit to the beautiful Apeldoorn facility in the Netherlands has been an eye opening experience. Auto Modelbouw Club Apeldoorn is the best oiled machine we have come across yet. The attitude of the officials and their attention to details should be the standard for our sport and if ever there was a club worthy of hosting some of our sport’s premiere championships then this is the place.

Supported by Much More, Hot Bodies and Speed Passion, the 2008/2009 Euro Touring Series travels next to Germany on July 17/18/19 when Andernach, the home track of World Champion Marc Rheinard, will bring to a close the second edition of Scotty Ernst’s and Uwe Rehinard’s popular creation.

Modified Overall results
1. Jilles Groskamp – 20pts (10 10 9 – 19/ 5m 10.44)
2. Marc Rheinard – 17pts (1 7 10 – 19/ 5m 11.45)
3. Yannic Pruemper – 17pts (9 3 8 – 19/ 5m 12.47)
4. Marc Fischer – 15pts (6 9 2 – 18/ 5m 0.36)
5. Andy Moore – 13pts (8 4 5 – 19/ 5m 14.46)
6. Steen Graversen – 13pts (4 6 7 – 19/ 5m 15.31)
7. Bart Wubben – 12pts (2 8 4 – 18/ 5m 1.32)
8. Christopher Krapp – 12pts (7 5 1 – 19/ 5m 16.33)
9. Martin Hofer – 11pts (5 1 6 – 18/ 5m 0.77)
10. John Bruins – 6pts (3 2 3 – 18/ 5m 8.43)

Pro Stock Overall results
1. Rob Janssen – 20pts ( 10 10 10 – 18/ 5m 16.17 )
2. Alexander Stocker – 18pts ( 4 9 9 – 17/ 5m 7.69 )
3. Daniel Wohlgemuth – 17pts ( 9 8 1 – 17/ 5m 3.78 )
4. Stefan Jansen – 14pts ( 8 5 6 – 17/ 5m 6.20 )
5. Vasco Christiaanse – 13pts ( 6 1 7 – 17/ 5m 13.99 )
6. Thomas Musial – 11pts ( 2 3 8 – 17/ 5m 8.70 )
7. Wesley V Dijken – 11pts ( 7 2 4 – 17/ 5m 8.75 )
8. Michael Lepelaar – 10pts ( 5 4 5 – 17/ 5m 16.56 )
9. Ronald Arts – 9pts ( 1 7 2 – 17/ 5m 8.97 )
10. Richard Oversloot – 9pts ( 3 6 3 – 17/ 5m 9.53 )

Pro 10 Overall results
1. Tim Altmanns – 20pts ( 10 10 – 20/ 5m 4.63 )
2. Ralf Booss – 18pts ( 9 9 – 20/ 5m 13.28 )
3. Rene Fischers – 15pts ( 8 7 – 20/ 5m 14.81 )
4. Richard Artss – 15pts ( 7 8 – 19/ 5m 8.06 )
5. Koen Geurdss – 10pts ( 4 6 – 18/ 5m 1.94 )
6. Mathijs Hermenss – 10pts ( 6 4 – 18/ 5m 5.23 )
7. Peter Mielkes – 10pts ( 5 5 – 17/ 5m 0.52 )

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May 31, 2009

Modified & Pro Stock A-main Leg 2 – Video

Video from Modified A-main Leg 2, which saw Jilles Groskamp cruise to the win ahead of Marc Fisher to take the overall class win.

Video from Pro Stock A-main Leg 2, which saw Rob Janssen secure his second leg win in a row to take the Pro Stock victory.

May 31, 2009

Groskamp & Janssen secure Dutch glory

A-Main number 2 has decided the outcome of the Dutch round of the 2008/2009 Euro Touring Series with Jilles Groskamp and Rob Janssen repeating their opening leg victories to secure the overall win here at the impressive Apeldoorn facility. Groskamp again took an easy win with his Tamiya TRF416 World Edition this time over the Corally of Marc Fisher and the Xray of Bart Wubben. The only driver to run a sub 16 second lap, Groskamp made it look easy as behind him a number of great battles were fought out. Marc Rheinard once again had a loose car dropping him down the order as Martin Hofer and Fischer took up the race for second spot. Team Yokomo’s Hofer was putting in a great drive and fending off the close atentions of his fellow countryman but on lap 13 his new BD5 stripped a spur gear at the end of a straight. This handed Fischer second while Wubben and Rheinard mixed it for third but the World Champion couldn’t find a way passed as his car and that of Fischer started to dump on the final lap. Neither lost position but both hope they can go the distance in the third leg with Fischer in with a chance of a podium. Kyosho pairing Steen Graversen and Christopher Krapp completed the top six after a good battle involving Hot Bodies Andy Moore who crossed the line in seventh. Yannic Pruemper, second in the opening Leg, struggled with his car on used tyres and he managed only 8th having started fourth on the grid.

The opening lap of the Pro Stock final looked as though Daniel Wohlgemuth might have got the better of the dominant Janssen and that we finally had a challenger for the local ace. Janssen’s Corally ran wide in the fourth corner allowing Wohlgemuth’s Tamiya down the inside but it was short lived as at the start of lap 2 the Top Qualifier was back in control. Wohlgemuth now had to contend with Alexander Stocker and Ronald Arts, Stocker eventually finding a way through but despite his best efforts Arts couldn’t. In Pro 10 Tim Altmann of Germany proved he is the class of the field with his self designed 4 Turn Lipo powered car taking its second win again from Ralf Boos’ Speedline with Dutch ARTS Racing driver Richard Arts third.

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May 31, 2009

Modified A-main Leg 1 – Video

Video from Modified A-main Leg 1, which saw Marc Rheinard pull up early and Jilles Groskamp take the win.

May 31, 2009

Top Qualifiers dominate first A Main

Top Qualifier’s Jilles Groskamp and Rob Janssen easily converted their respective Modified and Pro Stock pole positions into victory in the opening A-Main here at the fourth round of the Much More sponsored Euro Touring Series. In Modified we had expected a great duel between Groskamp and World Champion Marc Rheinard but the German’s challenge ended as soon as he began. Leaving the line Rheinard’s car spun out, something he put down to not enough scrubbing in of his new tyres, and he collected 3rd place starter Martin Hofer with the two ending up on the grass at the first corner. This gave Groskamp an early break from where he easily controlled the race to cruise to Leg 1 victory. The big battle of the race was between Yannic Pruemper, Marc Fischer and Andy Moore as the three fought it out for second with Pruemper heading the train. Fischer was the meat in the sandwich and put huge pressure on the young 15-year-old with his car clearly faster through the chicance but one lap from home the factory Corally driver dumped. Pruemper held on for second with Moore, whose Hot Bodies Cyclone recorded the fastest lap of the race, completed the Top 3 while Fischer crawled home to finish 5th. Rheinard pulled in after his first corner incident and now has the advantage of two fresh sets of tyres but Groskamp is aware of this and may save his second set of tyres for the third leg when track conditions will be cooler and the track will be at its fastest.

In Pro Stock the race went as expected with Rob Janssen’s Corally comfortably heading home second place starter Daniel Wohlgemuth. Stefan Jansen completed the top 3. Champion Alexander Stocker didnt have the race he planned. The Hot Bodies driver lost traction off the line and got collected. Stranded on the grass the German lost a lot of time and opted to pull in to save his tyres but with a number of other potential podium finishers also pulling up early he decided to rejoin so as to gain a higher placing, which could prove crucial if needed later in a tie break. He finished 7th. In Pro 10 the super fast Tim Altmann from Germany took the win from Ralf Boos who got the better of No.2 starter Rene Fischer.

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May 31, 2009

Steen tops Q5, Groskamp secures TQ

Kyosho factory driver Steen Graversen became the fifth different driver in as many rounds to TQ a qualifier here in Apeldoorn but it is defending ETS Champion Jilles Groskamp and his Tamiya that will start from pole. Dane Graversen recorded the fastest 5 minute run of the weekend with his Orion powered Stallion thanks to a fresh set of tyres and cooler track conditions. Having changed motor for the run Graversen is now much happier with the top speed of his car and said he tried to drive safely so as to not punish his tyres too much as he will have to run them again in the A Main. Lining up fifth on the grid his aim is to try and hold station in the final for a Top 5 finish.

Heading a Tamiya 1-2 at the front of the grid, Groskamp was second fastest for the round but more importantly he was faster than his team-mate Marc Rheinard who he feels is going to be his toughest opponent. Groskamp won the Dutch round last year at the MACH track and is keen to repeat a home victory here at Apeldoorn so we can expect a great duel between the Tamiya/Speedpassion pairing.

The big surprise of the weekend is Martin Hofer who is enjoying a superb international race debut with the new Yokomo BD5. The factory supported driver will line up 3rd on the grid and crucially has two sets of fresh tyres at his disposal. The German GM powered driver has the potential to take the fight to the Tamiya drivers but says he will sit and wait to see how the race plays out as he does not want to jeopardise finishing on the podium. Winner of the third round of the ETS in Poland, 15-year-old Yannic Pruemper will line up fourth on the grid but, like Graversen and former World Champion Andy Moore, has only one set of new tyres for the 3 legs of the final which puts him at a distinct disadvantage.

Yesterday Marc Fischer saw his main race car basically destroyed when it shut down just after the finish of the fourth qualifier resulting in his car being collected by Michal Bok’s Xray. Fischer who will line up 6th on the grid had a late night as he prepared a new chassis for today. The factory Corally driver said the new car is OK but doesnt feel quite as good as the much modified car he was using yesterday which featured a different top deck and lower bulk heads. On the bright side the German does have two fresh sets of tyres and he thinks a podium could be on the cards. Also with two sets of fresh rubber for the triple A Mains is Kyosho’s Christopher Krapp. The young German feels it will be hard to overtake but has set himself a target of a Top 5 finish.

In Pro Stock Rob Janssen, who had already secured TQ honours yesterday, once again crushed his rivals. Racing for Dutch manufacturer Corally, Janssen has been joined today at Apeldoorn by Joeri Bal the man responsible for creating the RDX PHi chassis. Tamiya driver Daniel Wohlgemuth took second for the round and will line up on the number 2 spot on the grid but the German has said he will be focusing on maintaining his position rather than challenging the Top Qualifier who is proving the class of the field here on his home track. Thomas Musial and defending ETS Pro Stock Champion Alexander Stocker make up the second row.

In the supporting Pro 10 category the super fast prototype of Tim Altmann will start on pole with Rene Fischer second. Altmann is lapping in the 14 second lap bracket and his 5-minute run is a lap more than that of the Modified Touring Car Top Qualifier Jilles Groskamp.

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